X-SciTech

Deep-Water Coral and Their Inhabitants

April 28, 2010 / 4:06 PM EDT / CBS News

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

A golden crab stands his ground as the remotely operated vehicle approaches.

Anemone

Redeye Gaper

Tuft Coral

A tuft coral (Lophelia sp.) surrounded by dead coral rubble.

Deep Coral

Several of the deep coral species that we see here are also found throughout the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

In a Mood for Calimari?

A deep-sea octopus shelters near a colony of tufted coral and anemone.

Misty Grouper

Misty grouper, a rare deepwater grouper found more often in the Bahamas and Caribbean Sea.

Deep Coral

Several of the deep coral species that we see here are also found throughout the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Scientists extract DNA from the samples to find clues about the diversity of the deep corals found in this area.

Lophelia cora

Lophelia coral from the Blake Plateau off Georgia.

Lophelia coral

A thicket of Lophelia coral. The light-colored parts are the growing portions.